Anyone have any experience or advice on which way to go from Austin to Amarillo? I’ve got two primary options and wanted some more input.
The goal is really to get there as quick as possible. Scenic drives are optional since the last couple hours will probably be at night and then next day we head to Boulder for some real scenery.
Thanks!
Using our trusty MapPoint software: (assuming 75 mph on the interstates, 65 on limited-access highways, and 55 on the surface roads)
I-35 to I-40 route: 8 hours, 40 minutes
Through Abilene and Lubbock: 9 hours, 7 minutes
So, not much of a difference…but, keep in mind that the surface route time doesn’t include time stopped at traffic lights, etc. I think your best bet is on the interstates.
Thanks. I tried researching it via the various online mappers but they never want to follow the routes I want. So it becomes quite tedious to figure it out.
My limited experience suggests that if you’re looking to make time, you stay as far away from the Metroplex as possible. In fact, Abilene might not be far enough outside.
Since you will taking I-35W through the Fort Worth side of the metroplex, this probably won’t be an issue. Unless of course you time it so that you are coming through during rush hour (4-7 pm). And even then, you’ll most likely encounter heavy traffic only on the section of I-35 north of downtown Fort Worth until you exit on US 287 to head to Wichita Falls. This would typically be about a 15 minute drive, but during rush hour could take 20 to 30 minutes. You’re more likely to encounter heavier traffic and more delays on I-35 between Austin and Waco than you would in Fort Worth.
The more western route through Abilene and Lubbock might have less traffic, but it also uses non-interstate roads. Which of course means lots of changes in speed limits and traffic lights as you go through every small town along the way. While this would be a more enjoyable drive for me (I love getting off the interstates and driving the backroads!), I would imagine this would add some time to your trip.
If you choose Fort Worth, when you exit off of I-35 onto US 287 on the north side of town, be sure to turn to your right and give me a wave. I live about 2 miles due east of that intersection!
183 is full of stop signs and red lights. I35 isn’t. Since speed is your goal, it’s a no contest.
Thanks for all the input. Based on the feedback, I’ve decided to go the Fort Worth and Wichita Falls route. I’ve done the Austin to Fort Worth stretch a few times. That last stretch from Hillsboro to FW is pretty nice - not much traffic and pretty straight - easy to make some time. Another factor for not going 183 on the back roads is that it will be tonight (Friday) and my experience is that is when the local law enforcement tends to be out in force.
You’re on I35 for less than half the trip. Once you get out of Austin, I35 is okay but still a horrible road to drive. Then you get on 287 just north of FW and that’s a very good road until well past Wichita Falls. However, once you’re further west, there are lots of small towns on 287 (Quanah, Childress, Claude, etc.) that slow you down. It’s not anything like an interstate at that point.
I do this route a lot starting from east of the metroplex. I’ve also done the Lubbock route starting in San Antonio, going west of Abilene to pick up 84 to Lubbock. This can be full of small towns but is usually very fast, and the Lubbock to Amarillo run is great road. I’d call it a tossup on time - you run the risk of traffic in the metroplex one way versus more exposure to slow farm vehicles on two-lane roads the other way. I’d probably choose the I35/287 route if for no other reason than the navigation is mindless, but I doubt you’d find a substantial time difference in the routes unless you had very bad luck.
General Questions is for questions with factual answers. IMHO is for opinions and polls. Please read the forum descriptions.
Off to IMHO.
DrMatrix - GQ Moderator
If the question is “What is the fastest route to drive between Austin and Amarillo?” then doesn’t that have a factual answer. I’m not arguing with you, just suggesting that the OP might have thought he/she was posting in the correct forum.
Oops. Please place a ? after the word “answer.”
I can only suggest that you get to Amarillo by morning.
Nah. That’s only if you’re comin’ up from San Antone. The OP is coming from Austin. 
Just a heads up on Fort Worth traffic if you plan on drivingthrough this weekend:
The storm caused many power outages and thus, many of our stoplights are still blinking red. This will more than likely not affect 35’s traffic, but it’s just a heads up, is all.
Also, they are predicting more thunderstorms for tonight. I hope you have a safe drive!
BTW, we drive that route to Santa Fe. We call it ‘the trail of tears’ because it is boooooooring as all out.
Thanks to all those that posted. We went the Fort Worth > Wichita Falls route. Under normal circumstances it would have been great. However, leaving at 6pm put us right in Austin rush hour traffic. Took us 45 minutes to go the first 15 miles. 30 minutes later the little ones (2, 4 and 6 years old (+ my wife) - told you I wanted to get there as fast as possible) were hungry and wanted to stop. After Wichita Falls, encountered some serious wind and rain that had me searching the radio dial for tornado alerts.
Some facts about that route: